CITY & COUNTY
News from Oak Ridge North, Shenandoah & The Woodlands
HIGHLIGHTS OAK RIDGE NORTH Teddy Bear Park officially reopened March 4 in Oak Ridge North, a little over a year after funding was approved by City Council. The park features rubberized turf, two new playground structures, a percussion play area and a swing set for children to use. The park is now accessible for all children, including an in-ground merry-go- round that allows for easier access as well as wheelchair access. THE WOODLANDS The board of directors for The Woodlands Township discussed the possible creation of a village association presidents’ advisory council at its March 3 strategic planning meeting. If created, it would allow a formal method for the village association presidents to meet and discuss larger issues they are facing and convey them to the board of directors. Board Director Richard Franks agreed to be the liaison between the township and the advisory council if it is formed. The formation of that council will be brought back up at a future regular township meeting in order to allow time for the village association presidents and township staff to work out a meeting schedule and format, according to officials.
Shenandoah pauses zoning discussion SHENANDOAH The planning and zoning board for the city of Shenan- doah on Feb. 21 tabled an item to make a recommendation regarding changes to zoning on three parcels of land in the Tamina area. community that are vaguely posi- tioned, so we cannot see them without stopping and looking at them. ... That is poor communication,” Price said. Planning board officials said the matter would be tabled for future discussions with better clarity. BY VANESSA HOLT
Residents request communication on timeline for water, sewer extension
The Woodlands revives water task force
DISCUSSING DRAINAGE The One Water Task
BY JESSICA SHORTEN
are making the best decisions and identifying the real viable solutions for the future.” The task force was dissolved in April 2022. According to Stephens, the majority of the board said at the time they felt the purpose of the task force had been completed. Board Director Brad Bailey said he felt concerned about the potential lack of ongoing collaboration between The Woodlands and other water entities such as the municipal utility districts, the Harris County Flood Control District and the San Jacinto River Authority. “I just don’t understand how col- laboration amongst multiple groups, multiple entities—whether it’s federal, state, county, river authorities or what have you—is not a good thing, because there’s always going to be a Tax Day flood or Hurricane Harvey that can present itself,” Bailey said. The board voted 5-0 with Director Shelley Sekula-Gibbs abstaining from the vote.
Force was initially formed in the wake of major flooding events in the region.
THE WOODLANDS A board tasked with discussing drainage and water-related issues with area governing agencies was renewed by The Woodlands Township board of directors on March 3 after being dissolved nearly a year ago. The board voted to renew the One Water Task Force during its second strategic planning meeting of 2023 on March 3. The One Water Task Force was originally formed in the aftermath of the Memorial Day and Tax Day floods of 2015 and 2016, respectively, as a drain- age task force in response to concerns from residents. Since The Woodlands does not have authority over water and drainage issues per its enabling legis- lation, the task force brought together various stakeholders to brainstorm drainage and flooding solutions. “All water issues are really related one way or another,” said Todd Stephens, intergovernmental relations director in the township. “We need to look at all aspects of water to make sure we
BY VANESSA HOLT
movement in terms of what is going forward,” said Tyrone Price, who said he spoke representing residents of the community. The engineering contract for the project was awarded March 8 to Bleyl Engineering. The community of Tamina will receive water and sewer service under an interlocal agreement between the city of Shenandoah and Montgomery County. EXTENDING UTILITIES $21M in federal funds slated
SHENANDOAH Residents of Tamina voiced concerns regarding plans to extend water and sewer to the unincorporated community at a Feb. 22 City Council meeting. In December, officials announced plans for an interlocal agreement between Shenandoah, Old Tamina Water Supply Corporation and Mont- gomery County using $21 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to make improvements to the existing sewer and water infrastructure. However, several residents spoke at the meeting with questions about the timeline for the project, which officials have said would take about three years to complete. Residents said they have felt left out of dis- cussions, citing media reports that lacked input from Tamina residents. “There has not been much communication to the residents to make a sound and ... educated
May 2015: Memorial Day flood
2015
The board held public hearings on zoning for three 1-acre, city-owned parcels in the area of Tamina Road between I-45 and Johnson Road. Tyrone Price and several other members of the Tamina community spoke at the hearing, concerned about the implications of the zoning for the community, which is located in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. In response, officials said the discussion regarding the zoning was essentially a “housekeeping” item that would not affect Tamina, according to officials at the meeting. Price told City Council the posi- tioning of zoning signs has made it difficult for residents to tell what is being potentially rezoned, he said. “The zoning signs in the actual
April 2016: Tax Day flood
2016
ZONING DEBATE
Summer 2016: Drainage task force formed August 2017: Hurricane Harvey
2017
Three city-owned parcels in Shenandoah’s extraterritorial jurisdiction were slated for zoning discussion in February, but the matter was tabled after questions from residents.
2018
2021
Parcel A: 1 Acre
April 2022: One Water Task Force not renewed
for project 3 years projected to completion Dec. 31, 2026 completion deadline
2022
Parcel C: 1.88 Acre
Parcel B: 1 Acre
March 2023: Task force reinstated
2023
N
SOURCE: CITY OF SHENANDOAH/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: CITY OF SHENANDOAH/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
THE WOODLANDS 10491 Kuykendahl (281) 681-9110 FM 1488 3588 FM 1488 (936) 271-9606
RAYFORD SAWDUST 25044 IH 45 (281) 362-9131 OAK RIDGE NORTH 27490 IH 45 N (281) 296-6000
GOSLING ROAD SPRING 24527 Gosling Rd (281) 516-9404
Powered by FlippingBook